week 26, post 1: (bayou)Grace abounds

Our concept of Bayou Grace as a multidimensional community services ministry appears to be a sound one. We address body, mind and spirit -- individually, in couples, in families and throughout the communities. We meet physical needs by providing such necessities as bedding, furniture, medical equipment and other items to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the hurricanes. When appropriate, we assist families with filling out the necessary paperwork for FEMA reimbursement, etc. We attend to emotional and spiritual needs by providing counseling and by operating Camp Noahs for children who have been affected by the disasters. We are building health in the communities by working for coastal preservation and other crucial environmental concerns and by supporting existing community leaders. When Elaine, our family advocate, becomes aware of emotional needs in the process of doing her casework, she refers them to me or to other appropriate counselors. Elaine and the school counselors keep me busy. When I become aware of unmet physical needs and refer those problems to Elaine. We are working closely with Mennonite Disaster Services to restore families to healthy living conditions. We are building partnership with Teche clinics to meet medical needs. Courtney, our administrator, reaches out to the community, including volunteers from out of our area who are regularly here, to do education and development.

I'm pleased with Bayou Grace and the whole person, whole community work we're doing. It's Good News to the poor. It's Gospel. It's Grace.

Peace, Warren.